Strange Medicine (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #1)(7)

“I’ll help you carry these home.”

He looked like I’d proposed. “Oh, no, no, no. That isn’t necessary.”

“I don’t mind.”

“You must have sheriff-type things to do.” He glanced in the direction Riley had gone. “There are other young minds still left to shape, I’m sure.”

I laughed and started walking, hoping he’d instinctively follow since I had some of his groceries. I found it was often easier to guide people than try and convince them. “How are you settling in?”

He hesitated as if he wasn’t going to respond, but then his shoulders relaxed and he fell into step beside me. “It’s much hotter and smellier here than I’d expected.”

“It’s not as bad during the cooler weather. The heat exacerbates the cattle ranch’s fragrant perfume.”

For the first time since I’d met him, he smiled. It was nice too. His teeth were straight and white, and his blue eyes glinted with amusement. Maybe there was a person in there after all. We walked along in silence with the sun beating down on our shoulders.

“Do you know that young man?” he asked quietly.

“Not well. What I do know of him suggests vandalizing parking meters isn’t his style.”

“I really didn’t mean to listen in.”

“It’s fine. I wasn’t telling him what’s in my diary.” I shrugged.

He shifted the bags in his arms. “You were very lenient with him.”

“Like I said, he’s usually a good kid.”

“But he wasn’t today. Why shouldn’t he be punished for his behavior?” He studied me, his expression genuinely curious.

“Because people make mistakes?” I stared up at the robin’s-egg-blue sky; there wasn’t a cloud in sight, and the heat was oppressive.

“I think people should learn from their mistakes.”

“So do I.”

He frowned. “How does that happen if they’re let off the hook?”

“I didn’t pat him on the head and say ‘good job.’ I chastised him and warned him never to do that again. I think he won’t.”

“Let’s hope you’re right.” His mouth twitched. “From what I can tell, you only have three parking meters in town. It would be a shame to lose one.”

I laughed. “What do you care? You don’t have a car, remember?”

“Touché.”

The gravel crunched under our shoes as we continued to walk toward his home. Maxwell intrigued me. I found him physically appealing, but the way his mind worked also interested me. “Do you really not believe in luck?”

“Pardon?” He looked confused.

“The other day, when I met you. You seemed to think luck doesn’t exist.”

He tilted his head. “I believe people make their own luck.”

“Really?” I frowned. “Then how do you explain someone winning the lottery?”

“They have to enter to win. They had a hand in their luck.”

“Hmmm.” I glanced at him. “What about bad luck? Do you think people make that too?”

His face shuttered instantly, and his mouth hardened. He didn’t speak; he simply picked up his pace.

I lengthened my stride to keep up. It wasn’t that difficult since I had at least a few inches on him. “Did I hit a nerve?”

“Are you trying to hit a nerve?” he snapped.

“Not really.” I wasn’t sure why he seemed so upset all of a sudden. “I’m just exploring your theory on luck.”

“Right.” His voice was gruff.

I frowned. “Why are you mad?”

He huffed. “Maybe because I don’t appreciate being the center of town gossip.” He scowled at me. “It’s disgusting. I wouldn’t think a man in your position would lower himself in that way.”

I wrinkled my brow. “I asked a simple question. How is that gossiping?”

“I mean with other people.” He sounded exasperated. “Have you been talking to Mrs. Pine?”

Thoroughly confused, I grabbed his arm. He stopped walking, his face flushed and his eyes angry. “Why would I talk to Mrs. Pine? She and her husband moved to Colorado.”

“Girdy, then?”

“What?” I squinted at him. “Do you have heatstroke? You’re not making any sense.”

He ignored me and started walking again. “What happened in LA is my concern. You people just need to mind your own business.”

It was obvious I’d hit a nerve I wasn’t even aiming for. “I’m not sure what you think I know, but I haven’t gossiped with anyone in town about you. I have little doubt other people are talking about you, especially since you seem to be indicating you have secrets.” I shook my head. “But no one would bother gossiping to me because I don’t go in for that sort of thing. Everybody knows that.”

We reached his house, and I followed him up the path and into his home office. Girdy was there with boxes stacked around her desk. When she saw me she smiled, but then her smile faded when she noticed Maxwell’s scowl.

“Hey, boss. Everything okay?” She sounded uneasy.

He ignored her and headed straight into the kitchen that was down a hall near his private office. I followed him, giving Girdy a shake of my head. Once we reached the kitchen, we piled our bags on the big pine table that was in the center of the space.